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Alone Forever

"I will never get married," Ron said indignantly.

Harry regarded him with a puzzled look.

"What brought this on?" he asked. "I mean, here were are talking about Quidditch and all of a sudden you say you'll never get married."

Ron sighed.

"Hermione," he said.

"Yeah? What about her?" Harry asked.

"She's under the impression that she'll be my wife some day," Ron said.

He was staring at his feet, studying them as if they were the most fascinating things he'd ever seen.

"So just tell her that you're not interested in getting married," Harry said.

Ron sighed.

"It's not really that easy," he moaned. "I can't break up with her unless I give her a good reason."

"You have a good reason. You're tired of her," Harry said.

"I have a better reason than that but I'm not prepared to give it," Ron said.

His voice was dead serious, almost a whisper.

"So what's the reason?" Harry asked.

Ron didn't answer. He had turned so bright a shade of red that scarlet seemed pale in comparison.

"C'mon mate, you can tell me. You know I can keep a secret," Harry pleaded.

Ron sighed.

"You'll hate me if I tell you," he whispered.

Harry moved closer to Ron and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I could never hate you. You're my best friend," he said.

Ron looked down at the floor again and took a ragged breath.

"I think I'm gay," he whispered.

"Oh."

"That's it? That's all you can say?"

"I'm just shocked, that's all."

The two boys sat in silence for a moment before Harry spoke again.

"I don't hate you," he said.

"That's a relief," Ron whispered.

"So when are you going to tell Hermione? You can't keep lying to her."

"I don't know. She's going to be furious."

"So? It's worth it. If you don't say something now you'll have to keep pretending all your life."

"That's true," Ron said softly.

He was looking at the floor again.

Harry touched Ron's arm again.

"If you decide to tell her I'll stand behind you one hundred percent," he said.

Ron smiled.

"Thanks mate."

"Don't mention it."

Harry let out a yawn.

"I think I'm gonna go to bed. I'm beat," Harry said.

"Sure. Goodnight," Ron said.

"Goodnight," Harry responded.

He climbed the stairs to the room with it's 7th Years sign and then dissappeared inside. Ron sat for a moment, contemplating what had just happened.

"I should have told him," he whispered.

A single tear trickled down his cheek and he wiped it away.

"Oh Harry, I love you," Ron whispered to the empty common room.

The End.